Colander addition to container

ABSTRACT

The addition of a colander functionality to a container generally designed to store and thaw or cook food products in the microwave, by adding a perforated area (holes, punctures, or slits) in an area to the container and sealing the area with a cover that can be easily lifted or released after thawing or cooking is completed to allow for the drainage of accumulated liquid and moisture. The addition of the perforated area and cover would typically occur during the manufacturing process of the container prior to the formation of the container or filling of the container with product.

REFERENCES PATENT NUMBER DATE INVENTOR NAME CURRENT US CLASS 4,144,438 3/1979 Gelman, et al. 219/728 4,196,331 4/1980 Leveckis, et al. 219/728 4,204,105 5/1980 Leveckis, et al. 219/729 4,358,466 11/2008 Stevenson 426/106 4,937,410 6/1990 Anderson 219/727 4,950,859 8/1990 Anderson 219/727 5,026,958 6/1991 Palacios 219/735 5,126,518 6/1992 Beckett 219/729 6,121,597 9/2000 Igota, et al. 219/725 6,455,084 9/2002 Johns 426/107 6,637,939 10/2003 Huffer 383/64 7,781,036 8/2010 Gerbeling, et al. 428/35.7 9,790,016 10/2017 Ohyama 1/1 11,059,650 7/2021 Hongou, et al. 1/1 11,225,368 1/2022 Hakim 1/1

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention involves adding the functionality of a colander or strainer to produce containers, such as microwavable bags or pouches, which are used to hold food items, such as fruit or vegetables, which are then placed in a microwave for cooking or thawing. The present invention of adding a perforated area with a cover will allow for the easy draining or straining of liquid which accumulates after cooking from the container while also providing an easy method of releasing accumulated steam after the container has been used for cooking its enclosed food product.

Vegetables, fruit, meat, and poultry products contain naturally occurring water, which freezes when these products are frozen. Many of these food products are packaged in plastic bags or pouches which are designed to go from the freezer to the microwave for cooking. Once the cooking process is finished, the bag not only contains the hot product, but also hot steam and residual moisture and liquid released from the product, in the form of a liquid. The steam is released once the bag is cut open, but the liquid remains with the product, and needs to be separated, before the product can be eaten, seasoned, or used in a recipe. A colander or slotted spoon can be used, but that adds another item which will need to be cleaned after use, or there may not be a colander or slotted spoon available.

The problem with existing containers is that they only allow for the simultaneous removal of the contents of the container, both solid and liquid, upon being opened. Typically, a container, such as a bag of frozen vegetables, is placed in a microwave for cooking or thawing. When microwaving is complete the bag now contains the vegetables and any moisture and liquids which have accumulated. It is desirable to keep the vegetables and discard the liquid so other ingredients, such as seasoning or butter, can be added without being diluted. There is no means to allow for the drainage of the liquids while keeping the vegetables contained in the bag. One must either cut a hole in the bag for drainage or use a colander or slotted spoon to accomplish separating the liquid from the vegetables, which causes the produce to cool instead of remaining hot.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The intention of the invention is to allow for the easy drainage of liquid and moisture which accumulates or remains after the thawing, heating, or cooking of a food product, without loss of product, by the addition of a covered perforated area to the packaging of food products. The invention facilitates the separation of liquid from thawed or cooked food products without the use of additional tools or devices. The packaging containers may be disposable or reusable and will be produced with the perforated area covered and sealed during the manufacturing process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is the addition of a perforated area with a coordinating cover to food product packaging during the manufacturing process of the packaging.

The cover of the perforated area will be removed after thawing, cooking, or steaming of food product is completed, to release the steam, and the packaging lifted so accumulated liquid and moisture can drain out of the packaging while keeping the contents secure.

The perforated area will be designed corresponding to the size of the packaging and to meet the draining requirements of the food product being packaged. The perforated area will vary in size, shape, and placement on the packaging, and is comprised of holes, punctures, or slits, in varying sizes, shapes, and quantities, depending upon the requirements of the food product being packaged.

The cover of the perforated area is coordinated with the perforated area in size, shape, and location on the packaging, and will extend beyond the limits of the perforated area to allow for a closure or seal around the perimeter of the perforated area.

The closure or seal will be sealed at the time of manufacture and will remain sealed until the consumer is ready to expose the perforated area after thawing, cooking, or steaming is completed.

Typically, when the packaging is disposable, the closure or seal will not be re-sealable. Typically, when the packaging is re-useable, the closure or seal will be re-sealable. The cover will be easily separated from the packaging by the consumer after thawing, cooking, or steaming is completed and may be fully removeable or remain partially attached to the packaging. A small tab or lifting area may be incorporated into the cover for ease of lifting the cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following drawings demonstrate an example of a perforated area with its cover shown pulled open. The drawings are a representation of one type of container, with rectangular perforated area and cover, and are not necessarily to scale. They are not intended to limit the possibilities of the types of containers, shape or size of perforated area, type of cover closure, or types of products contained.

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a produce bag with the invention shown open.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of a produce bag with the invention shown functioning.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following drawings depict the embodiment of the invention with no intent to limit the invention to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. In contrast, the intent is to reveal any alternatives, modifications, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

In FIG. 1 , a container 1 appears as a plastic produce bag commonly used in a microwave to steam or cook food products 2 (shown as broccoli), but other types, sizes, and shapes of containers are within the scope of the present invention. The perforated area 3 shows a group of holes in a rectangular pattern that penetrate the container 1 to facilitate the release of liquid and moisture which accumulates when food products are thawed or cooked. The cover 4 is potentially made from the same material as the container 1, and is shown lifting away from container 1, exposing the perforated area 3. The cover 4 is shown being lifted from container 1 and is shown remaining partially attached to container 1. Along the perimeter of perforated area 3 is a seal 5 comprised of a sealant or adhesive which keeps the cover 4 attached to container 1 until container is ready to be opened to release steam and drain liquids.

In FIG. 2 , the container 1 is shown lifted vertically, forcing the food products 2 to the bottom of the container 1, as well as moisture and condensation pooling into liquid 6. With the cover 4 separated from container 1 and sealant 5, the perforated area 3 allows for liquid 7 to be drained from container 1, while keeping food products 2 contained within container 1. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. The addition of colander functionality to container comprised of: a perforated area to release moisture, liquid, or steam while keeping contents of enclosed; a cover over the perforated area to keep container sealed until ready for release after thawing, cooking, or warming of contents is completed.
 2. The addition of a perforated area according to claim 1 occurs at the time of container in claim 1 being manufactured.
 3. The addition of a perforated area according to claim 1 may vary in shape and size, for the overall perforated area, as well as the number, size, and design of perforations.
 4. The addition of a perforated area according to claim 1 may also allow for steam to be released from said container after the cooking, thawing, or warming process is completed.
 5. The container according to claim 1 may be a bag, pouch, box, or other type, made from materials including but not limited to shrink film, wax coated cardboard, flexible bags, aluminum, lidding films, high barrier thermoforming film, IQF polyethylene, skin film, or similar materials.
 6. The container according to claim 1 may be placed in a microwave for warming, cooking, or thawing of contents.
 7. The addition of a cover according to claim 1 occurs at the time of container in claim 1 being manufactured.
 8. The container according to claim 1 may be disposable or reusable.
 9. The cover according to claim 1 is lifted or released from said container after the cooking, thawing, or warming process is completed.
 10. The cover according to claim 1 may vary in size, shape, and method or manner of adhesion or closure.
 11. The cover according to claim 1 may or may not be resealable.
 12. The cover according to claim 1 could remain partially attached to the container or be completely removeable. 